The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to conduct a prescribed burn in a 200-hectare plot of forest near Lintz Lake this week to remove dead or damaged trees and prepare the ground for reforestation.

The site of the prescribed fire is about 75 kilometres southwest of Prince George and about 72 kilometres southeast of Vanderhoof, across the Pelican Forest Service Road from Lintz Lake.

This controlled fire will only proceed if wind and weather conditions are favourable, with a probable start date of Oct. 23. The Lintz Lake recreation site will be closed until Oct. 31 to allow for the preparation and completion of this work.

This prescribed burn is part of the provincial government's Forests for Tomorrow reforestation program, which was established in 2005 in response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic and the catastrophic wildfires that occurred in the B.C. Interior in 2003.

One of the primary objectives of the program is to improve B.C.'s timber supply through research, timber analysis, strategic planning and silviculture. Another goal is to reduce wildfire threats in forested areas by removing dead or beetle-damaged trees (either physically or through controlled burning), clearing out brush and wood debris, and encouraging the growth of healthy young trees.

Public safety will be the top priority during this controlled burn. The fire will be ignited and closely monitored by trained Wildfire Management crews to ensure that it remains contained and has a minimal impact on the surrounding region. Smoke will be visible in the Lintz Lake area during the burning period, which could last several days.

Learn More:

Forests for Tomorrow: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hcp/fia/landbase/fft/

Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261